Actor Robin Padilla pledges to join army reserves to support mandatory ROTC

Actor Robin Padilla announced Sunday that he’s set to enlist in the army reserves to show his support for what appears to be the imminent return of mandatory military training in schools.

Padilla, 49, wrote on Instagram that he would sign up with the reserves to join Filipino students who may be enrolled in the Reserved Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), if it is made mandatory in senior high school.

“I will enter the Philippine Army Reserve for you, so that I could follow your path to heroism,” he addressed students in an emotional mix of Filipino and English. “Wherever you may go, I will not leave you behind! We will be trained by the Armed Forces of the Philippines!”

He did not specify when he would enlist.

Padilla, famous for a string of blockbuster action movies in the 1990s, is one of the most vocal celebrity supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte. He said the president and armed forces, known as the AFP, will support the students as they go through ROTC.

“We will not be left behind by the AFP and Mayor PRRD [Duterte] my beloved youths, so let’s stand up with our chests pumped and our heads held high for God! For the motherland! For other Filipinos!” he wrote.

In case there is any doubt about Padilla’s stand about the ROTC, the photo on his Instagram post includes this line: “We have to be trained militarily to defend our country. Support the ROTC.”

Critics say, however, say that it’s riddled with corruption and hazing.

The law’s passage by the Senate is in doubt. Although Duterte certified it as urgent legislation, senators said yesterday they have no time left to discuss it because the 17th Congress will adjourn Saturday. The Senate will reopen July 22 for the next session. In case senators fail to pass the ROTC bill, it has to be refiled in the next Congress.

ROTC was mandatory for male Filipinos until 2002, when it became optional following the death of Mark Welson Chua.